book of eli Tagged Articles at Cinematical
SDCC: What Warner Brothers Wants You To Watch
Filed under: Horror », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Exhibition », Comic/Superhero/Geek », ComicCon »
After Thursday's Hall H offerings more or less covered the entirety of comic book an genre fandom's future favorite films, among them Tron, Avatar, and the future classic Kick-Ass, it seemed an impossible task for almost anyone to top what was shown, much less to muster enthusiasm from the already punch-drunk crowd. And yet, Warner Brothers made a remarkably strong showing with their presentation of not one or two but six upcoming films, almost all of which looks ready to redefine fans' expectations.
Included in Warner's presentation:
Fans Rejoice: Live-Action 'Akira' is "Dead as a Doornail"
Filed under: Animation », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », RumorMonger », Scripts », Remakes and Sequels »
You probably remember that a little over a year ago, the news hit that Leonardo DiCaprio would be producing a live action version of the beloved anime, Akira, and as to be expected, fans were peeved. Within minutes, comment boards (including ours) were jammed with cries of white-washing, racism, and general predictions of overall crappiness. But, if you happen to have been one of those fans crying for blood; I've got some good news for you. Bloody Disgusting now reports that the live-action Akira has been pronounced "Dead as a doornail" by not one, but two inside sources -- I guess we should have seen this coming when the film was promised to be released in 2009, and there wasn't a signed cast member in sight.For those not familiar with Akira, it was the story of a teen biker gang member who is subjected to government experiments and unleashes destruction on a post-nuclear Tokyo. Ruairi Robinson had originally been slated to direct a script by Gary Whitta (Book of Eli), but DiCaprio had promised that they wouldn't be moving ahead with Akira until they had a quality script, so maybe Whitta could have been the source of the delay. Either way, I guess we can all breathe a sigh of relief that Tetsuo and the gang are safe from the monster known as 'reboot fever'...at least for now, anyway.
After the jump; status reports on other classic anime in line for a Hollywood makeover...
New Images: The Expendables, H2, Tron 2 and More
Filed under: Action », Horror », Fandom », Movie Marketing », Images »
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The first "official" photos from Sly Stallone's action-packed The Expendables has arrived online (courtesy of AICN), and one features Eric Roberts and Stone Cold Steve Austin flying through the air following an explosion of some sorts. If the words 'Eric Roberts', 'Stone Cold Steve Austin' and 'explosion' don't immediately force you to write the word 'AWESOME' in ALL CAPS (before yelling it out your apartment window for the whole world to hear), then I'm sorry, but there's really no hope for you. Check out all three images in the gallery below, and read one of these posts for more info on the film, which hits theaters on April 23, 2010.
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Director Rob Zombie has already wrapped production on Halloween 2 (or H2), even though it feels as if only two weeks have passed since his return to the franchise was announced. Zombie celebrated by releasing an image of the new Michael Myers, stressing that this will be one of many faces Myers shows off in the new film. This comes after word spread that Myers will remain mask-less for 70% of the movie (see set photo evidence below), which would certainly be a huge departure from the original horror franchise. I dunno, I kinda like my slashers in a mask. Remove the mask and, well, they're just another random weirdo ... and I work with enough of those here at Cinematical. What do you think: With the mask or without it? (Click images below to view the new Myers)
More after the jump ...
More News Bites: A Flashdancer Heads for 'Eli', and Landis Sues
Filed under: Drama », Horror », Music & Musicals », Casting », Celebrities and Controversy »
Jennifer Beals has started filling her schedule, now that The L Word is on its final leg -- and so far, so sweet. The Hollywood Reporter posts that she's signed on for a role in the post-apocalyptic film The Book of Eli. Even better -- she's picked up one heck of a part. Remember how Gary Oldman signed on to play Carnegie, the bad-guy despot of a makeshift town? The one who tries to stop Eli (Denzel Washington) on his quest across America's post-apocalyptic wasteland? Well, Beals has signed on to play Carnegie's "sexual prize" and Mila Kunis' mother. Oh, but there's more -- she's a "blind woman doing anything she can to protect her child." That's some choice casting (Mila-Jennifer), and I can only begin to imagine the magic that could brew up between Oldman and Beals. Only one whole year to wait and see! The film is set to hit theaters in January of 2010.Meanwhile, I can't imagine what my life would be like without John Landis. He shaped my childhood with "Thriller," and my later years with films like Animal House. Now, while I wait for him to wipe away the disgust brewed by Blues Brothers 2000, Variety reports that he's suing the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Landis filed a suit claiming that Jackson hasn't been handing over the 50% of net proceeds lately, like their 1983 agreement outlines.This comes right after word hit that the zombie-filled video is getting turned into a musical, so that may have something to do with it. Whatever the case, it better not distract him from the projects he's got a-brewing. I need something to wipe out the taste of 2000.
Ray Stevenson is After 'The Book of Eli'
Filed under: Drama », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Thrillers », Casting », Mystery & Suspense », Warner Brothers »
After blowing up baddies in this week's surprisingly entertaining Punisher: War Zone, it looks like Ray Stevenson is now taking aim at Denzel Washington's protagonist in The Book of Eli. In the near future, Washington's on a mission to deliver a book that may hold the key to nothing less than Our Salvation (not to mention so very many late fees), with Mila Kunis at his side and Gary Oldman on his tail, and now -- according to Variety -- Stevenson (HBO's "Rome") has this makeshift messiah in his sights.The post-apocalyptic thriller marks the return of the Hughes Brothers behind the camera for the first time since 2001's From Hell, and between them and a cast of this talent (yes, that includes Kunis, stop snickering), they might manage to make this somewhat less derivative than it already sounds, to echo Monika's sentiments.
Production starts in early 2009 for a release date in early 2010.
Gary Oldman Schemes to Steal the 'Book of Eli'
Filed under: Action », Thrillers », Casting »
The futuristic, post-apocalyptic drama Book of Eli is one of those features that sounds like a lot of other films -- man setting out in a wasteland to save the Earth. To me, it's one robot away from Cyborg -- well, a few pecs away as well, since star Denzel Washington isn't as beefy as Jean Claude Van Damme. But where the old post-apocalyptic world was great in that terrible, crappy movie sort of way, Eli is getting packed with talent.The Hollywood Reporter posts that the wonderful chameleon Gary Oldman is in negotiations to co-star. Better yet -- it's taking him back to the dark side and away from his recent good guy forays. As Washington's Eli tries to make his way across America's wasteland and "protect a sacred book that might hold the key to saving the future of humanity," Oldman's Carnegie will try and stop him. The despot of a makeshift town without laws, Carnegie wants to take possession of the book Eli is guarding, presumably for his own benefit. (Or maybe for his little community a la Blindness?)
So yeah, it's Cyborg with a book instead of a robot, with less muscles, and a much better baddie. My hopes, they're soaring high. Production will kick into gear next year, and unfortunately, we'll have to wait until 2010 to see what Denzel and Gary make of this.
Hughes Brothers Will Direct 'Book of Eli'
Filed under: Drama », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Warner Brothers », Newsstand »
After going six years between projects, Allen and Albert Hughes are finally starting to make their comeback. Having begun their career directing African American-themed films (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents), the Hughes boys went in a completely different direction back in 2001 with From Hell, then disappeared from the spotlight in search of better material. And according to Variety, they've finally found it. Warner Bros. has tapped the Hughes boys to helm Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic drama to be produced by Joel Silver, Susan Downey and Erik Olsen. Not exactly what you'd expect from the Hughes Bros., but I imagine they're looking to expand their repertoire ... and I dig it. Written by Gary Whitta, pic is said to follow a "lone hero" who fights his way across a wasteland in an attempt to protect a book that may protect the key to saving humanity. (And no, I do not believe it's a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.)
But that's not all for the brothers; in addition to this post-apocalyptic treat, they've also signed on to helm a film based on the very real life of that lunatic mafia hitman known as The Ice Man (aka Richard Kuklinski). Not only that, but Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have brought the boys onboard a big-screen version of the classic TV series Kung Fu, which will be based off a script penned by Cory Goodman. Is it just me, or do these guys seem obsessed with killing and/or fighting? Where's the love? Where's the romance? If it were up to me, I'd like to see the Hughes Bros. helm a film that incorporates everything they've done in the past ... except make it a romantic comedy. Strike that -- make it a romantic comedy set in post-apocalyptic Detroit and call it Love is Hell in Da Hood. I'd see that.
Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger
Directors We Love: Jim Jarmusch
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
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